Animals and Archaeology: Analytical approaches to understanding past human-animal relationships (ARCS2090)

Course overview

Archaeological animal remains, such as bones, teeth and shells, are a powerful means for understanding past climate and environmental change, human impacts on past environments and shifts in human behaviour. They are analysed all over the world and understanding how to identify and analyse them is an important professional skill for professional archaeologists and cultural heritage managers. This course integrates technical aspects of faunal studies with theoretical and methodological issues in archaeology, including questions of faunal assemblage formation (taphonomy), human economics and ecology, the relationship between game use and technology, and the anthropology of human-animal relationships. Class work emphasises hands-on experience with faunal remains and will teach students how to identify animal (skeletal) remains from archaeological sites.

"Archaeologists.....they study dinosaurs, right"? Have you ever been asked this question, or wondered this yourself? Well this is your chance to learn all about what kinds of animals archaeologists -- zooarchaeologists to be precise -- study and how they do it!

What were peoples' relationships with animals in the past? How can animals tell us about trade, people's mobility, their diets, or their spiritual beliefs? What kinds of information can we use from past animals to understand how landscapes and the environment changed over time? In this course you will come out with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and methods employed by zooarchaeologists to address these topics. During weekly labs you will get hands-on experience, where you will learn how to identify animal remains. You will learn how marks on bones tell the secrets of what happened to these animals, during their life and death. You will get to work on a real archaeological assemblage, gaining further skills in identification, recording and interpretation. At the end of the course you will come out with a firm understanding of lab methodologies, including quantitative approaches, anatomy, taxonomy, and the broader application and importance of zooarchaeological data to understanding the past lives of people.

This course is a combination of on-line lectures and in-person labs/workshops. Online lectures will be made available on Blackboard Ultra. Weekly labs will either be 2 or 4 hours in duration:

• 2-hour labs will take place during Week 1 through Week 8.
• There is no lab during week 9. Instead of a lab, you will use this time to finalise your poster (Assessment 2: Case Study Portfolio, Part 1).
• 4 hour-labs will take place during Week 10 and Week 11.
• A final 2-hour lab will take place in Week 12.

The assessment consists of:

1. Three in-person quizzes;
2. Case Study Portfolio (Part 1: poster and Q&A);
3. Group reflection; and
4. Case Study Portfolio (Part 2: written critique).

The three quizzes assist you in the identification of skeletal elements, differentiating animals and marks on bone surfaces -- all clues to understanding past human behaviour. The Case Study Portfolio and Reflection provide important skills in visual, oral and written communication. In archaeology communication is a significant aspect of the job -- whether in academia, industry consulting, government or museum work. To help build your confidence in communicating your thoughts, opinions and work to your peers, we will have regular opportunities to informally share ideas during weeks 1 through 8, building to your short presentations in weeks 10, 11 and 12. Importantly, this will also build on your group work skills that you have developed in ARCA1000.

Course requirements

Assumed background

ARCA1000 or ARCS1001; understanding of the basic principles and methods of archaeology

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

ARCA1000 or ARCS1001

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ARCS3020

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email the School of Social Science Administration Team at student.socsci@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details: full name, student ID, and course code. 

Aims and outcomes

Through a combination of lectures, readings, hands-on tutorials, and lab activities, students will become familiar with the principles, techniques, and theories of zooarchaeology. Emphasis is placed on acquiring skills and understanding in the areas of skeletal and taxonomic identification, quantification, analytic units, major methodological issues, applications of zooarchaeological data, and interpretive frameworks based on experience gained through practical learning applications and study of case examples.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

In-class quizzes/exams

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination, Quiz

Weight

45%

Due date

18/03/2026 - 19/03/2026

1/04/2026 - 2/04/2026

22/04/2026 - 23/04/2026

Held during your regular laboratory/workshop times, in week 4, week 6 and week 8. The in-class exams will commence in the first hour of your allocated workshops

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

This assessment task is to be completed in-person during the designated class time.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

You can request a deferred exam if you can provide evidence of unavoidable circumstances that prevented you from sitting your original exam at its scheduled date and time. All deferred exam requests must be accompanied by documentation that supports the reason for the request. The request will be assessed based solely on the evidence you provide when you apply. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

An application on the basis of a Student Access Plan (SAP) alone will not be accepted. If you are applying on medical grounds, a registered medical practitioner must assess your condition and provide a signed medical certificate that covers the day of the examination. You must obtain a medical certificate no later than two business days after the date of the original examination. Further details of acceptable evidence for deferred examination can be found here. 

Additional information on eligibility and application instructions, can be found on my.UQ’s Deferred Exam Information page.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Case Study Portfolio (part 1)

• In-person

Mode

Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Presentation, Poster

Weight

15%

Due date

1/05/2026 - 14/05/2026

The poster is due 2pm 1 May 2026. Once the posters are uploaded, students will be able to examine their peers' posters and pose questions, which can be upvoted. The posters will be presented in weeks 10 and week 11.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit your Poster electronically by the due time, on the due date. 

Your assessment must be submitted via Turnitin on Blackboard. To submit your assessment electronically log in to Blackboard Ultra with your UQ username and password and navigate to the relevant submission link for that assessment item on Blackboard Ultra. No emailed submissions of assessments will be accepted. 

By submitting your assessment through Turnitin, you confirm that all work is your own, except where properly referenced. Only submit assessments that contain your original work. 

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt within a few hours, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.  

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit your application on or before the assessment due date and time.  

Grounds of an Extension 

A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. All extension requests must be accompanied by documentation that supports the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Students registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services / SAP 

In the School of Social Science, extensions granted on the basis of registration with Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) or a Student Access Plan (SAP) will be the lesser of 7 calendar days or the maximum extension allowable for the assessment task.  

More information is provided in Part D of the Assessment Procedure. 

Discretionary Extensions 

You are eligible for a discretionary extension for a single assessment task per semester of study for a duration of 48 hours, with no documentation required. You can apply if the assessment task allows (see the course profile for details) and if it is your first extension request for that assessment.  

You cannot receive an extension using both discretionary grounds and SAP grounds for the same assessment and must select one basis when making their initial request. 

Maximum Extension Requests 

You can request a maximum of 3 extensions for the same assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. If after the third approved extension you submit the assessment late, late penalties will apply. 

Late Extension Applications 

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements. 

Additional information 

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. Course Coordinators are unable to grant extensions directly.  

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation to the next graduation period. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessments will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Group Reflection of Analysis of Archaeological Assemblage

• In-person

Mode

Oral

Category

Reflection

Weight

10%

Due date

20/05/2026 - 21/05/2026

This reflection will take place during your regular laboratory/workshop time in Week 12.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

In-class.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

The University recognises that on occasion a medical condition or other exceptional circumstances may impair your ability to attend your in-lab assessment at the scheduled date and time. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for an alternative assessment. The alternative assessment will consist of the analysis of a digital assemblage which you will analyse and then meet with Tiina to discuss:

1) A research question you might explore with further analysis of the assemblage

2) The methods you would undertake for future analyses in order to answer your research question

3) Your personal reflections on the experience.

To be considered for an alternative assessment, please submit your extension of assessment request through my.UQ.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit your application on or before the assessment due date and time.  

Grounds of an Extension 

A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. All extension requests must be accompanied by documentation that supports the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Students registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services / SAP 

In the School of Social Science, extensions granted on the basis of registration with Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) or a Student Access Plan (SAP) will be the lesser of 7 calendar days or the maximum extension allowable for the assessment task.  

More information is provided in Part D of the Assessment Procedure. 

Discretionary Extensions 

You are eligible for a discretionary extension for a single assessment task per semester of study for a duration of 48 hours, with no documentation required. You can apply if the assessment task allows (see the course profile for details) and if it is your first extension request for that assessment.  

You cannot receive an extension using both discretionary grounds and SAP grounds for the same assessment and must select one basis when making their initial request. 

Maximum Extension Requests 

You can request a maximum of 3 extensions for the same assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. If after the third approved extension you submit the assessment late, late penalties will apply. 

Late Extension Applications 

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements. 

Additional information 

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. Course Coordinators are unable to grant extensions directly.  

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation to the next graduation period. 

Group Work 

A discretionary extension request cannot be used for group work and an SAP for an individual student does not guarantee an extension for the group assessment item. 

You can request an extension on behalf of your group, provided that at least 50% of your group members also agree to the request recognising the potential impacts on the other group members. A completed Extension of Group Assessment - Group Member Acknowledgement Form must be attached to the extension request. 

Dysfunctional group dynamics, poor performance by individual group members, illness or other issues of a group member are generally not considered sufficient grounds for an extension on submission of a group assessment item. These issues should be actively managed by the group and the Course Coordinator as appropriate, during semester. 

Case Study Portfolio (Part 2)

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique, Portfolio

Weight

30%

Due date

8/06/2026 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assessment electronically by the due time, on the due date. 

Your assessment must be submitted via Turnitin on Blackboard. To submit your assessment electronically log in to Blackboard Ultra with your UQ username and password and navigate to the relevant submission link for that assessment item on Blackboard Ultra. No emailed submissions of assessments will be accepted. 

By submitting your assessment through Turnitin, you confirm that all work is your own, except where properly referenced. Only submit assessments that contain your original work. 

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt within a few hours, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again.  

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit your application on or before the assessment due date and time.  

Grounds of an Extension 

A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. All extension requests must be accompanied by documentation that supports the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Students registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services / SAP 

In the School of Social Science, extensions granted on the basis of registration with Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) or a Student Access Plan (SAP) will be the lesser of 7 calendar days or the maximum extension allowable for the assessment task.  

More information is provided in Part D of the Assessment Procedure. 

Discretionary Extensions 

You are eligible for a discretionary extension for a single assessment task per semester of study for a duration of 48 hours, with no documentation required. You can apply if the assessment task allows (see the course profile for details) and if it is your first extension request for that assessment.  

You cannot receive an extension using both discretionary grounds and SAP grounds for the same assessment and must select one basis when making their initial request. 

Maximum Extension Requests 

You can request a maximum of 3 extensions for the same assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request. If after the third approved extension you submit the assessment late, late penalties will apply. 

Late Extension Applications 

Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements. 

Additional information 

Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team. Course Coordinators are unable to grant extensions directly.  

Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation to the next graduation period. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Assessments will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Final Grade:ﾠThe final grade is determined by adding together the sum of all individual assessment tasks. Grades are calculated based on the marks received.ﾠ

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements and graduate attributes for an eligible course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow, and only for students who receive a final grade of 3 or N. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ. 

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity: You must complete the Academic Integrity Modules by the due date. 

School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments 

Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to you in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.  

Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result  

Student Grievance Resolution and Appeals: If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may appeal through the Formal Administrative Grievances/Appeals process as per the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure. Before submitting an appeal, it is recommended that you review the Student Grievance Resolution Guideline. If you require help with drafting an appeal, Student Advocacy and Support can provide assistance. Time limits apply to submit an appeal; please refer to Student Grievance Resolution Procedure for the relevant timeframes.  

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Professional Groups and Networking

• International Council for Archaeozoology – ICAZ
• ICAZ Working Groups
• Zooarch Listserve
• BoneCommons

Online Databases, Identification Aids & Communities

For Australia:

• Ozboneviz 3D bone reference collection of Australian and Papua New Guinea native and domestic fauna, including comparisons of key skeletal elements
• Fishboneviz 3D fish bone reference collection of Australian and Pacific taxa. 
• Animal bones in Australian archaeology: A field guide to common native and introduced species
• The University of Sydney Fish Library
• Atlas of Living Australia

Elsewhere

• Animal Bone Metrical Archive
• Animal Diversity Web
• Arch￩ozoo: Site Collaboratif d’Arch￩ozoologie
• Bone building books
• Digital Morphology
• ebook of The Vertebrate Skeleton by Reynold (1897) – wonderful illustrations of major taxonomic classes
• The eSkeleton Project (primates and humans)
• FaunAZ: Arizona's Archaeofaunal Index
• Inner body - 3D human skeleton
• INPN- Reference Centre for Nature and Biodiversity in France
• tDAR (the Digital Archaeological Record)
• The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
• Knochenarbeit
• The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Atlantic - FAO Fisheries Guide (marine vertebrate and invertebrate ID guide)
• The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific - FAO Fisheries Guide (marine vertebrate and invertebrate ID guide)
• Medieval Animal Data-Network
• Mollusca Types Catalog, National Museum Wales
• Open Context (archaeological data publication)
• The Paleobiology Database
• Sclerochronology Listserve Using this link, email the listserv and request to be added to the group by providing your university email address in the body of the message
• The Skull Site (bird skulls)
• Tanzanian Mammal Key (skulls and skins)
• Virtual Zooarchaeology of the Arctic Project
• Will's Skull Page

Journals

• International Journal of Osteoarchaeology (primarily human and vertebrate fauna)
• Archaeofauna (European, multi-language)
• Environmental Archaeology
• Ethnobiology Letters
• Journal of Ethnobiology
• Journal of Archaeological Science
• Journal of Archaeological Science Reports
• Archaeology in Oceania
• Australian Archaeology

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.